— Leon Anemoi Greyrat —
Looking down at the magic circle that Arumanfi had carved into the basent of our house in Sharia, I placed my hand on my chin as I examined the piece of work.
“So I just input so mana, and this will take to the royal palace?” I asked the spirit standing beside .
“Yes. It is quite simple to use,” Arumanfi responded. “Even one as ignorant in summoning magic as you should find it rather straightforward.”
That last comnt was unneeded.
But still, I was able to ignore it.
“And is there anything I should be worried about? Like, if it breaks or sothing?” I clarified.
“Ridiculous,” he said, scowling in offence. “This is a creation of Lord Perugius. Do you think that such a thing would be imperfect?”
I… guess that was a no.
“Alright… then, thank you,” I said, inwardly sighing. ”And give my thanks to Lord Perugius too.”
And thankfully, we now had a good use for the secret room of the basent that had previously stored that autonomous doll.
Speaking of that… I wonder how Zanoba was doing.
“…Understood,” Arumanfi said, disrupting my thoughts.
And with that, he disappeared with a flash of light, presumably returning to his master’s side in the floating fortress.
Well, at least that was done with.
And with having already greeted my family that had stayed behind while I went to Asura, now that I was back ho, there was only one thing left to do.
A eting with my father… the person I had seen as one, and my actual birth father… as they were both one and the sa.
It had been a few weeks since I had officially gotten married to Ariel, and with the assurance that there were no parties going after my two ladies that I had left behind, as well as Orsted and Perugius staying in the capital as another form of protection, I finally had so ti to address the issue at hand.
So, with the teleportation circle that would allow my family to travel to and from the palace as we wished finished, I then made my way out of the house, heading straight for my parents’ place.
Paul… Father should be ho, right?
Well, even if he wasn’t, I would just have to wait until he returned.
The snow crunching underneath my boots, and the air clouding with each breath, it didn’t take long for to reach the house.
I hesitantly raised my hand to the cold, wooden door, my heart pounding a bit harder than it was before.
I… was nervous, yes.
To deny it would be idiotic.
I wasn’t really nervous as to what Paul would do, but rather what I would… or what I should do.
But before I could bring myself to rap my knuckles against the door, it flung wide open to reveal my two sisters.
“Brother!”
“Big Brother!”
With both of them running forward simultaneously, I quickly brought my arms out to catch them as they crashed into , the two holding onto my neck as they pressed their cheeks against mine.
“Hey you two… I’m back,” I said, giving them a light squeeze as they both leaned back to look at .
“Mhmm! Did everything go well?” Norn asked from my right with a smile.
“Of course,” I said. “It’s , after all.”
“Yeah… but what took you so long?” Aisha asked from my left, her eyebrows raised in question.
“I just… made things easier for Ariel, you could say,” I responded, averting my gaze.
I don’t think it would be best to tell her that I murdered most of the important nobles of the kingdom, even if she would soon learn of it when she t Ariel.
“Hmm…? Really…?” Aisha said skeptically.
So that wouldn’t work… ah well, just deflect and move on.
“Ahem! Anyway, you two are getting heavy, so how about I let you down now,” I said.
With those words, I got two kicks to the shin as punishnt as I set them to the ground, which wasn’t too far from their feet.
They… really were getting older, huh?
Taking another look at the two, I could definitely tell that the attractive features of all three of my parents were beginning to show as they neared closer and closer to adulthood.
Haa… I would have to be on the lookout for boys soon, wouldn’t I?
Well, that was technically Paul’s job, but they were much too cute to leave it solely to him.
At least I knew that Norn was strong enough to defend herself, and Aisha was smart enough to protect herself, but… I was still worried.
I’m their big brother, after all.
Yes… I really am their big brother…
Even though nothing has really changed, there is sothing different in knowing that I truly belonged in this family, at least if we were talking about bloodlines.
It made feel oddly… happy.
Or maybe comforting was the right word… comforting to know that even while they viewed as their brother, there was now no way for anyone to think otherwise.
But…
“Huh? Hey, son of mine! You’re back!” Paul said, walking over to the front door. “I guess you ssed up the royal palace if it took you so long, eh? Haha! Man, I would love to have seen those bastards’ faces when your ass walked in!”
But… there was also so frustration.
No… not just so… there was quite a lot.
“Huh? Hey, what’s with that face, Leon?” Paul asked, calming his wide smile.
I wonder what face I was showing…
“There’s… sothing we should talk about… together,” I said, looking past him into the hallway. “Are Mama and Lilia ho?”
“Hmm? Uh, yeah… they’re in the laundry room,” he responded, his goofy expression having completely vanished at my serious tone.
With so mana flowing into my demon eye, I was able to confirm what he said.
“Then… could you bring them?” I asked, looking back to him. “It’s about… our family… and more specifically, .”
— Leon Anemoi Asura —
“So you’re actually the King of Asura… how ridiculous,” Paul said, shaking his head. “But aside from that… it’s good you made things safe for Ariel. Even if your thods were a bit… violent.”
“Yes… they were…” Mama added with a frown.
Needless to say, she was not very happy when I told her that I had bathed the royal palace in blood, even if I tried to lessen the shock with so more… civilized wording.
Paul, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care, and as for Lilia…
“That’s my Leon,” she said with a proud smile as our eyes t, her hand reaching over to lovingly pat my head.
Yeah… I guess even after so many years, she still had quite the grudge against the kingdom’s higher ups.
“Yeah, she’s safe, and once Aisha goes back, things will start getting under control,” I said. “Speaking of that… where’s my dearest little brother?”
I was talking about Alaric in this case, as I had already t up with Rudy this morning when he ca to greet and observe the teleportation circle be installed.
It seed that Rudy had taken quite a liking to summoning magic ever since getting a few lessons from Perugius, and he had been researching a way to use a spell to summon his magic armour when he needed.
An interesting idea, and a useful one, but I had a feeling that his desire wasn’t necessarily bred from function… but rather from style.
Well… that was just like Rudy, after all.
“Ah, he’s up in bed right now,” Mama answered, smiling happily. “He played with Clive all morning, so he ended up needing a big nap.”
I see.
Well, he was three, after all, although it must feel quite novel to my parents, seeing as Rudy and I had both been starting our paths in magic at that age.
But it was fine, to have a normal, childish little brother. But again, like with my kids, I would have to be sure he didn’t feel an inferiority compared to the two of us… odd kids.
Still, for the mont, his nap was probably good.
After all, I don’t think he would understand nor care about the discussion taking place right now, and the one that was about to take place.
“Okay… then I suppose I should simply say it,” I said, taking a breath as I leaned forward. “You know that Orsted knows quite a bit about the world, right?”
The three nodded their heads.
While they had never t him, Rudy and I had told them enough to know the basics of the man, including his oracle-like knowledge.
“Well… let’s just say through so… interesting thods… Orsted knows who my father is,” I said, feeling my emotions begin to rise.
No, calm down, Leon.
Getting all emotional wouldn’t help anything right now.
My parents seed a bit surprised at this.
“Really? Do you… know him?” Lilia pressed, her eyebrows furrowed.
You could say that, yes, considering he was in the room with us right now.
“That bastard, leaving a woman out on her own…” Paul hissed as he crossed his arms.
Uh… yes… he is quite a bastard… but I am talking about you, you know.
“Really? Who is it?” Mama asked.
And that… was the big question.
Closing my eyes, I took a breath before I slowly raised my head, looking directly into Paul’s green eyes.
He blinked.
I continued staring.
He blinked again.
And still, I continued staring.
His eyes widened as he slowly pointed to himself, a hint of recognition beginning to form in his head.
I narrowed my eyes and nodded.
“W-What!? T-That… how!?” he suddenly shouted, standing to his feet.
“How else do you think, you bastard!?” I shouted back, eting him as I stood up. “Y-You! You… are my real father…”
My words trailed off as I slowly sat back down into my chair, my anger giving way to a feeling of sadness.
What the hell was I even supposed to do?
Should I even care?
I had long learned that family was more than just about being connected to soone through blood, so what was even the point of revealing this… of arguing…
While I was ruminating to myself, both of my sisters ca up to , both snuggling against my sides, as if trying to give so comfort.
It worked… kind of.
But still…
I slowly looked back up at Paul, who had taken a seat as well, massaging his forehead as he seed to be lost in thought.
Was he trying to rember how he could have ended up creating ?
Well… even if he didn’t… I couldn’t bla him.
He would have been only sixteen when it happened, after all. Mama wasn’t even part of their adventuring party yet at that point.
And that was the main reason I couldn’t feel angry.
Just… despondent? Disappointed?
I didn’t even know.
If he had taken responsibility and given my mother the family and stability she deserved… would he still be with Mama?
I doubt it.
Even if he was unfaithful, even in marriage, he was a man who would absolutely take responsibility, so I doubted that he would take the chance to start another family with another woman.
And if he didn’t get with Mama… then Rudy wouldn’t be born… nor would Aisha and Norn.
A world without them… could I really feel a sense of regret about that?
And then there were the many worlds Orsted had seen where, in nearly every one of them, Paul abandoned Alice.
In so ways, that made it worse, as there was no version of my father that treated Alice well, but on the other hand, things playing out like they did… it was so sort of fate, right?
Haa… it was just too tiring to be angry.
So I wasn’t.
Wasn’t angry, I an.
Instead, just… sad.
Sad that I didn’t even have the chance to wish things had changed, considering the consequences of what would happen if things had been different.
“I… love my family… our family… so it’s not like I would want to change anything,” I began, trying to sound out my thoughts to everyone else. “But… I still miss her. My Mom, I an. She… she deserved better.”
Yeah, that was one way to word it.
She deserved better than being abandoned and burdened with .
“Oh, baby…” Mama said, slowly shuffling toward .
“Leon…” Lilia said, joining her.
With four sets of arms wrapping around , I felt a bit of that sadness disappear, lted away by their warmth and love.
It felt nice.
It felt comforting.
But… that wasn’t exactly what I was looking for when I ca here.
“Leon… son, I…” Paul stamred, struggling to find his words. “I… I’m sorry.”
He then bowed his head.
Despite all his mistakes, it was an incredibly rare sight for the man to bow so deeply, so I knew that he was serious with this gesture.
“I… I was an idiot, and… well… like you said, I can’t say I regret everything that happened in my life since then… but I’m still sorry… son,” he said.
I stared at him for a mont before suddenly sighing, feeling the last of the residual anger leave my body.
He was definitely getting off too easy.
And shouldn’t this be a more defining mont for our family?
But alas… that wasn’t the case.
Even if I was actually his son, it didn’t really change anything between us and our family.
And even if he made a bad mistake in the past… there was no way to change it, and even if I had the chance to… if I could go back and force fate to follow a different path… I couldn’t say that I would take it.
No. In fact, despite how hard it would be, I wouldn’t dare try to change things.
Haa… whatever.
I was too tired to care any longer.
Besides, I was back ho after nearly two months of being away in another country, fighting for the kingdom’s succession.
This was a ti that should be a bit happier… even if the circumstances made it unable to be all great.
As Mama and Lilia turned their head’s back to my father, I saw that the two of them were giving him harsh looks as he continued to hang his head in sha.
Well… even if I wasn’t giving out any punishnts… I guess the two of them had it covered.
But now that there were only my sisters at my side… I noticed that they were acting a little… odd.
I looked at them as the continued being attached to my sides, both of their faces constricted in matching pouts.
Why did they seem so upset?
Was it because our father was a bastard?
No, they had long since accepted that he was an ass in the past.
So… what was it?
“So… Big Brother… you’re my real brother…?” Aisha slowly asked.
“Yes… that is the case,” I answered, nodding my head.
The two of them visibly deflated.
“A-And… you’re sure of this?” Norn asked.
“Uhh… yes… I’m pretty sure,” I said.
Besides, between the swordsmanship and looks, there were too many similarities between my father and I to discount Orsted’s words.
“I… see…” Aisha said despondently.
What? What was with them?
And why was Lilia giving them such an apologetic look?
I was about to ask more, but before I could, I sensed a presence at the door, and a mont later, said presence made itself known.
“L-Leon! You’re here!” Rudy said after opening the door.
“Yes… and good timing, there’s sothing you should know,” I said.
He looked at the six of us in confusion before shaking his head.
“Never mind that! I… need your help,” he said, hanging his head.
I raised my eyebrow in question.
“You… you have four wives now, right?” he hesitantly said, looking up at as his eyes darted from side to side. “So… I think you’re the best one to ask for advice…”
Uhh… what was going on?
The only thing that should be happening today is…
Oh.
It was then that I rembered that now was the ti that the school year ca to an end, and the previously sixth year students graduated from the University of Ranoa.
And this year… the graduating class included a certain pair of beastfolk princesses.
From the look on Rudy’s face, the nature of his request for advice, and the mories of a certain promise between the three… I had a feeling I knew what trouble my brother was currently facing.
— Leon Anemoi Greyrat —
“So… you want to go over that again?” I asked Rudy, who was currently sitting across from in my house’s study.
“Yes… well… Lilia and Pursena… they graduated… and then right after, they decided to have a duel,” he said.
I nodded my head as I took a slow sip of my tea.
“Pursena won… and Lilia lost… so it was decided that Pursena would go back to rule her tribe and fulfill her role as princess, while Linia would stay here and… marry …” he continued, explaining the main problem of the situation.
So Linia would be all but abandoning her duties… well, at least Gustav seed to have foreseen sothing like this happening and sent Minitona and Tersena here to study.
Thinking of the two beastfolk princesses that Rudy was having trouble over… well, maybe this was a good thing, all things considered.
Even if they ended up spending most of their free ti with Eris, those two were much better candidates for a ruling position than their older sisters.
“So? Is there anything else?” I asked.
“Yes… I told Sara about it… and she… didn’t take it well,” he said, frowing.
Well, yes, I would have assud so.
“I see… then, are you going to break the news to Linia?” I asked.
Rudy made an odd face.
“Well… you see… I kind of already accepted their proposal when we were travelling together, so it would be bad of to go back on my word now…” he explained.
…Huh?
I… was initially going to be pissed at him for not rejecting the sudden proposal, but with such a reason holding him back, I couldn’t find it in myself to be mad.
After all… a promise, even from long ago, wasn’t sothing to be forgotten so easily.
“And… she’s really sexy…” he added, a lustful smile forming on his lips.
…Never mind.
Give back my trust, brother.
“Well, you’ll have to just make a choice then,” I said, shaking my head. “Even if she’s not part of the Millis Church, not every girl is one for polyamory, Sara included. So you’ll have to weigh your choices between the current family you have now, or the one with the ‘sexy’ Linia. I don’t have to tell you which one is the right choice, do I?”
I… really didn’t have to, right?
Rudy frowned at .
“That’s the thing… Sara isn’t necessarily against having another woman,” he said.
…Excuse ?
“What do you an?” I asked.
“It was a few years ago, after the two of us reunited… after we got back from the inn that night, Sara and I had a… talk,” he explained. “Basically, seeing you with Eris and Sylphy, and already having heard about our father, she told that she wouldn’t mind having another woman as long as I told her beforehand.”
Hmm… I guess I could see that happening.
Sylphy had told that one of the reasons she was able to accept everything so easily was because she had the experience of being with Mama, Lilia, and Paul after they settled things. And while Sara didn’t necessarily have that experience growing up, being exposed to such a thing, and seeing that it didn’t an the won were miserable, could definitely open soone up to the idea more.
“Alright… and I assu you told her about Linia before doing anything with her, right?” I asked.
He nodded his head.
“Then… what’s the problem?” I asked.
Rudy frowned a bit.
“Well… the main point of it all, is that Sara doesn’t think Linia loves … and thus, she doesn’t want to have a family with her…” he explained.
Again, thinking of Sylphy, she had also demanded that I only be with other won that loved and our family as well.
Not that I planned on having any more… but that wasn’t the point right now.
Thinking back on my mories of the beastfolk girl, Sara certainly had a reason to be suspicious.
There were not many, if any, tis I had thought of Linia looking at Rudy in a romantic light… rather, it was more just plain lust.
But oddly enough… sotis, that girl’s deanour reminded of Eris before she llowed out a bit.
Of course, that really only spoke of her immaturity, to be compared to the child Eris… but also, that ant that she might very well have actual feelings for this brother of mine.
“And?” I asked. “Do you agree with Sara’s judgnt? And more than that… do you love Linia as well? Enough to have a family with her?”
It didn’t take a genius to know that one of the main reasons that Linia wanted to be with Rudy was to have children, likely due to his strength.
She was a mber of the beastfolk, after all.
But if the two wanted to have children together… well, I wouldn’t want that to be a bad decision.
Rudy’s eyes turned resolute as he flashed a smile.
“I do love her. And I know she loves . While she might be a bit of a tsundere, with our ti crossing the continent together all those years ago, I know that I reinforced the ‘dere’ side in her,” he said, nodding to himself.
…I wasn’t quite sure what nonsense he was talking about, especially with such a proud expression, but at least there seed to be real feelings there.
“Then… isn’t there only one thing left to do, idiotic brother of mine?” I said, getting up as Rudy frowned at . “Go talk to them. Together. And talk to them seriously. I’ll watch Lana for you while you do, but don’t co back until everything is sorted out.”
Communication was important, after all.
“W-Well, but… haa, fine,” he said, eventually relenting to my words as he stood up. “This is the job of the man of the house, right?”
Exactly.
“And besides, if I want to ravish those two beauties, I should put in so work myself!” he proclaid, giving a proud smirk as he pressed his fist to his chest.
…While I loved him and was proud of him… this dear brother of mine really knew how to disappoint at the most opportune monts.
Well… at least I’ll be able to see my cute niece for a while.
— Rudeus Greyrat —
“S-Sara?” I said, giving her my best smile. “My beloved wife?”
The only thing I got in response was a pair of narrowed eyes as she continued rapping her finger against her arm.
Right… this wasn’t going the greatest.
Well… I guess I should have expected this.
I an, it’s not like I would accept her wanting another husband, even if she had made a promise to them in the past.
I wasn’t a fan of NTR, even if it made a selfish hypocrite.
“Do you… hate this after all?” I asked.
“Of course I do!” she shouted, her tone harsh, as if she was scolding .
Usually, I would end up feeling quite aroused by that tone, but right now… I couldn’t find it in myself to be.
“I said you could have another wife if you couldn’t handle yourself, but not just so random woman!” she shouted, pointing at sternly. “I’ve seen your parents and your brother’s families. I know they’re all happy together. I can accept that! But! That only works because they love each other as family! Because they wouldn’t want their ho to be destroyed! They aren’t just doing it on a whim!”
I lowered my head a bit at her volu.
She was really angry, huh?
I seed to have ssed this whole thing up.
Dammit, brother. ‘Just have a talk together’ my ass!
I didn’t already have everything set like you did!
I slowly looked over to Linia, who had taken to covering her ears as she ekly looked a way.
An action that was so unlike her.
That proud, temperantal princess that I had co to love… she wasn’t one to take words like that sitting still.
So… why?
Was she that affected by my wife’s scolding tone?
But either way, for the sake of my hopefully future wife, and likely future bearer of my children, I should stand up for her.
“Sara… she… isn’t taking this lightly… and neither am I,” I said, looking back at her.
She raised her eyebrow at .
“Is that so…” she said, having gone back to her normal volu, before she looked over to the woman beside . “Then please tell , Linia… do you really love my husband?”
Taking a breath, I then looked over to the woman in question, her cute cat ears twitching as she raised her head.
“O-Of course, nyan! I wouldn’t get married to anyone, you know! Only Rudy is good enough for a woman like !” she proclaid, having stood up to make her point.
Well… I didn’t mind hearing that at all.
Especially with how her breasts jiggled at her movent, the nipples pressing nicely against the fabric while her thighs-
No… you’re getting way too far ahead of yourself, Rudy.
There was an order to things here, after all.
Even if she was incredibly sexy…
“Rudy,” Sara snapped.
Whoops. It seems that my inner thoughts had sohow appeared on my face.
Seriously, my Sara was much too good at reading .
Even Linia seed to know sothing, judging by how she was sniffing the air while looking at with a knowing smile.
“Haa… whatever, back to the point,” Sara said, shaking her head. “So, Linia… you say you love Rudy, right? Then why… why do you love him?”
“W-Why…? Hmm…” Linia said, her expression turning contemplative as she rubbed her chin in thought.
Uh… not giving a lot of confidence there, Linia.
“I guess… because he’s strong!” she said, slamming her fist into her hand. “And not only that, but his brother and father are strong too! So that ans that between us, we’ll definitely have strong kids!”
Uh… I guess that wasn’t the worst reason…
But that didn’t seem to be the sa for Sara, as her expression had turned back into a frown.
“Because he’s ‘strong’, huh? Is that all? Then, does that an if Leon or that Dragon God ca and asked to take you to bed, you would leave and go with them?” Sara asked.
Linia’s eyes widened in surprise.
Had… had she never thought of that before?
I don’t know whether to take that as a complint or not.
“W-Well… maybe if I hadn’t t Rudy… then I wouldn’t mind it,” Linia slowly started to explain. “But! But… strength isn’t the only reason I l-love him…”
As I looked over to Linia, I felt my body freeze at the sight.
Her cheeks were flushed red while her eyes darted to and fro, trying to avert from Sara and I’s sight.
It was… incredibly different from the Linia that I knew… and incredibly cute.
Was this the famous gap moe?
I… I approved. Very much so.
And while I doubted Sara was as enraptured in the sight, she was mutually surprised nonetheless, at least from what her wide eyes were telling .
“He… when we travelled together… he never looked down on for being stupid,” she said, clenching her fist. “When I didn’t understand sothing, unlike my father who would only get angry, or my grandfather who would only be disappointed… he would explain it calmly until I understood, and if I didn’t… he wouldn’t hold it against .”
I felt a warmth blossom in my chest at her words.
Were these her true thoughts?
Were they really so… vulnerable and sweet?
Ha… now I really wanted to take her to bed.
Like, this instant.
“S-So yeah… I do love him… and even if he isn’t the strongest, if there is one thing that I am, it’s loyal!” Linia said, having regained her energy, her tail flicking upwards. “So… so, please let have so babies with Rudy!”
That was… quite the way to finish off her declaration of love.
I looked over to Sara, only to see her eye twitching slightly.
But only slightly.
“So bold…” she mumbled, closing her eyes as she released a sigh. “Haa… fine.”
She then turned to with a frown.
“Rudy. You’re doing double the chores for the next month, understood?” she said, poking my chest. “And don’t forget that Lana is your priority, so don’t forget that just because you have a new girl to have fun with. And don’t even think for a second that I’m sharing a bed with the two of you, understood!?”
“Y-Yes ma’am!” I said, getting onto my knees.
D-Did this an…?
“And Linia…” Sara said, turning to her as her expression cald into a neutral one. “We’ll have to discuss so things in private… especially about a schedule if we end up having one… but for now… welco to the family, Linia.”
And like that, our little family of three beca one of four.
Though… I had a feeling that Zenith isn’t going to be very happy about this developnt.
But at this point, with having two instead of four, I was only half as bad as Leon, so it should be fine… right?
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